I rounded the back of Becca’s house, a grin appearing at what I found. Reid was sat inside a cardboard box, his nose pink from the cold. Between his legs, bundled up in several layers, was Hayden.
The two of them seemed to be pretending they were on a race circuit. Reid was turning a paper circle in his hands, tilting the box from side to side as he made comical car noises.
“Watch out for the sheep,” Hayden cried dramatically. “Shoo, sheep!”
Reid made a high-pitched screeching noise. “Oh no! We’re losing control. Hold on tight.”
Wrapping his arms around Hayden, Reid flung them both to the side. Alarm buzzed through me as the box toppled, but evaporated at the sound of their laughter.
A voice at my elbow made me jump. “They’ve been at this for an hour now.”
“I’m glad they’re having fun.” I smiled at Becca, cooing at baby Freddie in her arms. “Is Ma here too?”
“She was, but she left a little while ago. I told Reid he didn’t need to entertain Hayden, but he insisted.”
“That doesn’t surprise me,” I said, suddenly transported back to thirteen years ago. To the lad who didn’t have anyone else to play with. Had he seen Hayden and realised that the only other child in the clan was his baby brother? Or had he seen himself in Hayden? “Reid’s imagination is fantastic.”
“As is Hayden’s.” She sighed. “It’s been honestly wonderful to have Reid here. He’s welcome back whenever.”
My heart warmed. “He’ll be thrilled to hear that.”
Becca chuckled. “Aye, until he realises Hayden has near unlimited energy and a smile ye can’t say no to. Sadly, I’m going to have to be the baddie and break up the fun. Josh’ll be home soon and it’s time for Hayden’s bath.”
“Let me do it.” I patted her shoulder. “I’ll send him in. Maybe then he’ll do it without a fuss.”
She rolled her eyes. “We can live in hope.”
Hayden’s dislike of baths was legendary. In the summer, we’d often take him to the lake with a bottle of shower gel, hoping to help Becca and Josh out by getting him clean that way.
Unfortunately, that option was out of the question this time of year.
Becca disappeared inside, leaving me to approach Reid and Hayden. “Excuse me, is this where we race our Formula One cars?”
“Evan!” Hayden scrambled up from the box in delight,flinging himself at me. Knowing to expect it, I tossed him into the air before hugging him tight. “We’ve been playing races.”
“I can see,” I said, lowering him carefully to the ground. “Looks like you’ve had a crash and everything.”
Hayden bounced on his toes. “Yes! But Reid held my head carefully. I didn’t get hurt.”
“That’s because Reid is really thoughtful and caring.”
Reid smirked at me as he got out of the box and dusted himself off. “Reid really is the best.”
Hayden’s gaze darted between us. “I’m thoughtful and caring too.”
“Course you are, buddy.” An idea occurred to me. A way to hopefully get Hayden indoors and into the bath without causing stress for anyone. “That’s why you’re going to do something super thoughtful and caring for your ma right now.”
His head tilted. “I am?”
“Yup.” I grinned, wiping a smear of dirt off his cheek. “You’re going to go in for yer bath, without a single complaint.”
Never one to just accept something, Hayden frowned. “How is that thoughtful and caring?”
“Well, it’s thoughtful because your ma is tired,” Reid said, his hand falling on Hayden’s shoulder as he joined us. “And if you don’t have your bath, she’ll be upset and frustrated. We don’t want that, do we?”
“No,” Hayden said slowly.
“And it’ll make your ma happy if she doesn’t have to fight ye on it,” I said. “Which means you’re caring for her by going straight in.”
